People in the palace are the most sensitive. Some people think that these are nothing but hearsay and self-inflicted troubles, but if one's ears and eyes are not clear enough, he may not live to a high position.

Concubine Shu became a concubine when the emperor was still a prince. Even his original wife, the Queen Daqi, has been dead for many years, but Concubine Shu is still in glory. It is obvious that Concubine Shu can live so long and she does not rely on the emperor's old feelings.

In the past few days, Concubine Shu has smelled some unusual news. What happened in the emperor's bedroom that day has been banned. The emperor, empress, prince, and princess were all present. It is unknown what they said, but Concubine Lian was rewarded with a lot of things afterwards, which cannot be hidden.

Concubine Shu sat on the chair, looking at the people in the room with a hidden look.

Chu Jinyao came to pay respects to Empress Xiaoqi today. When she entered the palace, she found that Concubine Shu and Zhao Lanhui were also there. There were few concubines in the temporary palace, and Concubine Shu often spent time with Empress Xiaoqi. As the daughter-in-law of Concubine Shu, Zhao Lanhui certainly did not dare to miss out.

Chu Jinyao glanced at them and then looked away. She paid respects to Empress Xiaoqi according to the rules. After the greetings were over, Chu Jinyao stood aside and waited quietly.

Chu Jinyao and Zhao Lanhui were both daughters-in-law of the royal family. They could sit down in large occasions with ladies from outside the palace, but it was not appropriate for them to sit down in occasions with the royal family. Zhao Lanhui stood beside Concubine Shu, while Chu Jinyao stood far to the left of Empress Xiao Qi.

Empress Xiao Qi must have hated Chu Jinyao, and Chu Jinyao didn't want to see Empress Xiao Qi. The strange atmosphere between the Crown Princess and the Queen could not be hidden from others, but everyone in the room pretended not to know and continued to talk and laugh softly.

It has been almost a month since Concubine Lian had a miscarriage. No matter how reluctant she was, she had to pay her respects to Empress Xiao Qi. If she still lay there to "recuperate", she would be accused of being arrogant because of her favor. Concubine Lian sided with the Eastern Palace in the last court struggle. She did this for her own future, but before the future came, she still had to bite the bullet and be humble to the Empress. Concubine

Lian tremblingly saluted the young Empress Qi, who sneered without hesitation and ignored Concubine Lian. The laughter of the young Empress Qi was so obvious that everyone in the room could hear it clearly. Suddenly, no one dared to speak, and Concubine Lian maintained the posture of paying respects, feeling that her whole body was shaking.

Chu Jinyao understood that this scene was done for her to see, and Chu Jinyao was very calm, watching her eyes and nose, and her nose and heart. Time passed silently. After an unknown amount of time, Empress Dowager Qi seemed to have just seen Concubine Lian: "It's Concubine Lian. You just had an abortion and are weak. Even the Emperor has shown mercy and allowed you to rest. Why did Concubine Lian think of paying your respects to me today?" Concubine Lian

's forehead was covered with sweat: "I dare not. Your Majesty is the Empress. Even if I have the courage of heaven, I dare not disrespect Your Majesty."

Empress Dowager Qi sneered and said meaningfully: "Don't dare? I think you are very courageous."

Empress Dowager Qi's words were clearly directed at Chu Jinyao. Concubine Lian was just a palace maid, and now she was trembling with fear. She couldn't help but look at Chu Jinyao. Empress

Xiao Qi noticed Concubine Lian's gaze, and before Chu Jinyao could say anything, she got furious: "Hey, I'm asking you a question, but why are you looking at the Crown Princess? Could it be that now I can't even speak as well as the Crown Princess?"

Chu Jinyao looked down upon Empress Xiao Qi's unreasonable behavior. She was the queen, but now she was acting like a naughty woman looking for trouble. But since Xiao Qi had said so much, Chu Jinyao had to come out and express her opinion: "Your Majesty, your question is strange. Everyone in the palace is respectful to the Queen. I have always been respectful to the Queen. I don't know where the Queen got the idea that everyone in the harem is disrespectful to you?"

Chu Jinyao deliberately made the key words vague, and finally expanded it to everyone in the harem. The other concubines and imperial concubines present were also dragged into the water, and naturally they could no longer watch the show. Seeing Chu Jinyao was vague again, she narrowed her eyes, and the cold light in her eyes almost became real. Chu Jinyao has been calling her Empress Dowager since she entered the palace. Empress Xiao Qi hadn't noticed this before. It wasn't until the emperor pointed it out yesterday that Empress Xiao Qi realized that Chu Jinyao's behavior was not respectful at all. She clearly looked down on her, the Empress! Chu Jinyao never called Empress Xiao Qi mother, because in Chu Jinyao's heart, her only real mother-in-law was Empress Da Qi.

Empress Xiao Qi was so angry that she sneered. It was a pity that when she first entered the palace, Empress Xiao Qi saw Chu Jinyao as gentle and humble, and thought she was a person who would not fight for her lot, so she was lenient with Chu Jinyao. Thinking about it now, Xiao Qi Queen felt that she was simply a joke. Chu Jinyao had never taken her seriously from the beginning. Every time Chu Jinyao called her "Empress Dowager", she might have been laughing at her in her heart for getting married without a matchmaker.

Xiao Qi Queen was so angry that knives could fly out of her eyes. She made no secret of her ill will towards Chu Jinyao and said in a sarcastic tone, "The Crown Princess is really good at talking. No wonder the Crown Prince and the Emperor don't listen to anyone else's advice, and only listen to the Crown Princess. I'm not good at speaking

, and I can't compare to the Crown Princess in terms of flattery. As the Empress, how dare I discipline the Crown Princess?" "Your Majesty, you are wrong. Who can compare with you in terms of words in front of the Emperor? You are the one who is really eloquent and has won the Emperor's heart. I'm just being realistic."

Empress Qi's face changed immediately. Chu Jinyao was implicitly satirizing the incident with Concubine Lian last time. Empress Qi tried to gain sympathy and favor from the Emperor, and finally persuaded the Emperor to let go of the poisoning. Chu Jinyao's last sentence "seek truth from facts" was even more sarcastic. To Empress Xiao Qi, it was tantamount to a slap in her face.

Empress Xiao Qi was furious. If there were no one else around, she would have severely reprimanded Chu Jinyao. But now Concubine Shu and several other concubines were still there. Empress Xiao Qi did not want to bring her own disgrace to the hands of her mortal enemy. She quickly glanced at Concubine Shu and finally forced herself to suppress the matter.

Concubine Shu sat aside, still smiling gently and appropriately, but her eyebrows were slightly raised. There was nothing wrong with the Crown Princess' words, but the experienced Concubine Shu could not hide it from her ears. Concubine Shu clearly felt that the Crown Princess meant the Queen, and Empress Xiao Qi actually endured such a provocation?

This is very cat-like. When Concubine Shu thought of the abnormality during this period, she became more and more determined. She must find out what happened in the emperor's palace a few days ago.

Empress Xiao Qi endured Chu Jinyao's sarcasm and became more and more upset. In the past, Empress Xiao Qi held the airs of an empress and refused to use those methods used in the family to torture her daughter-in-law. She thought these tricks were straightforward and vulgar, and only those vicious but stupid women in the mortal world would do such things. Empress Xiao Qi had a high opinion of herself. She designed one ingenious trap after another, playing with power while maintaining the posture of a loving mother. This is what a smart person does. Unfortunately, Queen Qi never expected that the traps she designed would be exposed by Chu Jinyao one by one, and now they are backfiring on her. Queen Qi now understands that even the most sophisticated and complex schemes have flaws, but it is the most primitive tricks, although not up to standard, that are useful.

Queen Qi covered her mouth and nose and coughed twice deliberately. When she acted like this, other concubines couldn't help but ask: "Empress, what's wrong with you?"

"Alas, the weather has been changeable these days. Maybe I caught a cold last night and have a headache." Empress Qi smiled and said, "Forget it, it's nothing. I'll just have to endure

it." "How can you endure it?" Zhao Lanhui said, "The Empress is a precious daughter. You are the queen mother. Your body is not only related to the harem, but also to the whole world. It's a big deal for you to have a headache or fever, not to mention that you caught a cold yesterday. Otherwise, your daughter-in-law will call the imperial physician to come for you now?"

"Princess Su is really filial, worthy of being a noble lady from the Duke of Wei's Mansion. Next time I see the eldest princess, I must have a good talk with her."

As the Queen said this, she glanced at Chu Jinyao, but Chu Jinyao stood there calmly, without even changing her expression. The Queen deliberately mentioned Zhao Lanhui's family background, which was meant to touch Chu Jinyao's heart, but Chu Jinyao didn't care at all. Family background was just something to add icing on the cake. It was he who lived his life, not the family behind him.

Zhao Lanhui was praised, smiled, and glanced at Chu Jinyao without leaving any trace. Queen

Xiao Qi deliberately lifted up Zhao Lanhui. Seeing that Chu Jinyao was not jealous or angry, she was not in a hurry either. Instead, she gently pressed her forehead with her fingertips and said slowly: "I appreciate Princess Su's filial piety, but it's too much trouble to ask the imperial physician

, so let's give up." "Your Majesty, you can't take your body lightly like this." Lan Yu, who was standing behind Xiao Qi, continued, "In my opinion, since Your Majesty does not want to trouble too many people, why not let the servants cook some pigeon soup. Sucking pigeons nourish yin and replenish qi, which is the most nourishing, and is just right for Your Majesty. But the servants are not meticulous enough, so you have to find someone who is interested to watch over it." As

soon as the words fell, everyone in the palace was silent. Being able to cook medicine for the empress was obviously filial and decent. Zhao Lanhui's face was not very good. Stewing pigeons was the most time-consuming process, and the kitchen was a dirty place. Zhao Lanhui didn't want to go there, but she wanted to be filial, so she could only bite the bullet and say, "If mother doesn't mind, I'll go and watch."

Empress Xiao Qi smiled but said nothing, but her eyes swept towards Chu Jinyao. Chu Jinyao was the crown princess, and Zhao Lanhui was just the princess. Regardless of seniority or hierarchy, Chu Jinyao couldn't let Zhao Lanhui pass her. What's more, Empress Xiao Qi's words were originally directed at her.

Chu Jinyao didn't need Empress Xiao Qi and Lan Yu to beat around the bush. She directly pointed out the truth, "It's rare for Princess Su to be so filial. However, as the eldest daughter-in-law, I can't let my younger sister-in-law do such things as being filial to the empress. Your Majesty, I have never stewed a suckling pigeon. Please forgive me if I don't control the heat well."

"I am really relieved that the Crown Princess has this intention." Empress Xiao Qi slowly covered her lips and said slowly, "Crown Princess, you are too modest. I heard that the Crown Princess is very capable and is good at sewing. It's more reassuring to let you go than to let Princess Su go."

Zhao Lanhui heard the implication of Empress Xiao Qi and smiled. What does a noble woman know about sewing? Queen Qi was hinting at Chu Jinyao for having grown up in a farmer's family, which was why she had to do such rough labor. If it were Zhao Lanhui, she would never even enter the kitchen.

Chu Jinyao looked down on the complacent attitude of these people. It was a blessing to be born into a wealthy family and not have to do rough labor for the rest of their lives. It would be fine if they were not grateful, but why did they look down on the honest farmers who worked with their hands? Chu Jinyao never thought that there was anything shameful about her background. It was not her fault that she was stranded among the people. She learned many survival skills in the Su family, which should be a good thing. Besides, if not, how could she have met Qin Yi?

Zhao Lanhui and Empress Xiao Qi couldn't understand why Qin Yi had to ask for permission in person and insisted on making Chu Jinyao his principal wife, and even after the marriage, he never had a concubine. In fact, this was the reason.

Chu Jinyao smiled and said, "I'm just being filial to the Empress. As long as the Empress likes it, that's all." After that, she turned around and left without paying any attention to the gloating or self-righteous looks of other people in the palace.

Filial piety is more important than anything else. Empress Xiao Qi put on a hat of filial piety. Chu Jinyao knew that the other party had bad intentions, but she had to go to the kitchen to stew soup in person. Chu Jinyao was the Crown Princess, so she didn't need to make soup herself. But since she was here to stew pigeons "for" the Empress, she had to do it well, especially since the Empress's ladies-in-waiting were following her. Everyone in the kitchen was afraid to go out, and they handled the pigeons in their hands with trepidation. Chu Jinyao stood in a quiet place and watched the whole process.

Pigeon soup is indeed a tonic, especially for women. However, since it is a soup that nourishes yin and qi, it naturally needs to be stewed as long as possible. Even if Chu Jinyao didn't have to do it herself, it was not pleasant to stand in the smoky kitchen for two hours. When the pigeon soup was finally ready, Linglong hurried forward to take the white porcelain bowl.

Chu Jinyao whispered, "Be careful."

"I understand."

When they walked back to the palace of Empress Xiaoqi, it was already noon. It was fine when they went out in the morning, but the weather changed drastically in a short while. Now the sky was full of clouds, and the wind on the corridor also brought damp moisture.

"It's going to rain." The palace maids in the temporary palace walked nervously. Chu Jinyao walked to the main hall of Empress Xiaoqi and was stopped from a distance: "Crown Princess, the Queen is meeting guests, please wait a moment."

It was noon, and it was going to rain soon. Which foreign family would be so blind as to come to visit the Queen at this time? Chu Jinyao glanced at the maid who delivered the message with a penetrating gaze. The maid shrank back. She did not dare to look Chu Jinyao in the eye. She said, "Princess, please wait a moment," and then quickly slipped away.

Chu Jinyao waited for a while. The wind on the corridor gradually became wetter and heavier. Thunder rumbled in the sky from time to time. It was obvious that it would rain soon. The wind before the rain was strong and cold. Linglong could not help but call a maid and asked, "Has the queen not finished meeting the guests yet? The princess made the pigeon soup herself. It must be cold after waiting for so long."

The maid did not dare to pretend not to see it, so she could only go in and report it. As soon as the maid left, Princess Rong'an and Zhao Lanhui came out of the palace. Zhao Lanhui saw Chu Jinyao, her eyes changed, and she smiled and saluted Chu Jinyao: "Crown Princess."

Chu Jinyao nodded in response. Princess Rong'an looked at Chu Jinyao thoughtfully. They were invited by the Queen to dinner, and they knew that the Crown Princess was coming when they were having dinner, but the Queen didn't mention it, so Princess Rong'an pretended not to know. Her daughter Zhao Lanhui was also a royal consort, and Prince Su had just been targeted by the Crown Prince. Seeing Chu Jinyao being bullied by the Queen, Princess Rong'an was secretly pleased. She deliberately spoke to Chu Jinyao warmly, and then left with a happy face.

Linglong watched from the side and was furious. It seemed that the Princess and Princess Su had just had dinner with the Queen, and the Crown Princess was waiting outside, but they were having dinner in the house. It was really unreasonable. After a while, the female official who had brought the news came out again: "Crown Princess, the queen has a headache due to the wind and has fallen asleep. Please wait a moment."

Linglong was completely furious. She was the calmest of the maids. She was so angry before and almost wanted to go up and argue with the queen's maid. Chu Jinyao calmly raised her hand to stop Linglong's movements. She turned her eyes and said sarcastically: "Since the queen wants to take a nap, let's wait a moment."

This wait was more than a moment. The rain in the sky finally fell. The summer rain came suddenly, with thunder roaring, and strong winds mixed with rain raging everywhere. The vast sky and earth were left with only a huge curtain of water. Chu Jinyao was standing at a windy spot, and the rain was blown into the corridor by the wind, and in a moment, the corners of Chu Jinyao's clothes were wet.

Linglong was angry and distressed. She handed the already cold pigeon soup to other maids and stood by the railing to block the wind for Chu Jinyao. But how much Linglong could block, Chu Jinyao was still inevitably half wet. She stood in the kitchen for a whole morning, and now she was blown by the wind mixed with rain. She felt a chill from her back and a dull pain in her lower abdomen.

Several maids in the East Palace went to invite the Queen again and again, but the news they got was that the Queen was still taking a nap. Linglong quietly sent someone to inform the Crown Prince, but seeing how heavy the rain was, it was afraid that the news would not be passed on for a while. After a while, Lan Yu walked out of the palace and said to Chu Jinyao with a smile: "Crown Princess has been waiting for a long time. Your Majesty has a headache and can't sleep well during her nap. Just now, Your Majesty knew that the Crown Princess was still waiting outside, and she was very surprised. She didn't care about the headache and came to invite the Crown Princess in."

Chu Jinyao laughed unabashedly, full of sarcasm: "The Queen is finally awake?"

Lan Yu smiled and said, "That's right, but the queen just woke up and needs to fix her hair. Crown Princess, please wait a moment." Lan Yu glanced at the bowl of pigeon soup, raised her eyebrows and smiled, "The Crown Princess is indeed filial, but these supplements are always better to drink while hot. Now they are cold and cannot be served to the queen. Someone, take this bowl of pigeon soup away."

Linglong wanted to splash the bowl of soup on Lan Yu's face at that moment. The maid from the empress's palace came to take the white porcelain pigeon, and coincidentally, a group of eunuchs came from behind. They bumped into each other and spilled the soup. Linglong was quick to block Chu Jinyao. Chu Jinyao was not splashed with pigeon soup, but she was frightened and had a severe stomachache. The eunuchs behind saw that they had bumped into the Crown Princess and came over to apologize. They were here to exchange ice cubes in the Queen's Palace. On the way, one eunuch slipped and bumped into another person, knocking over a basin of ice cubes, which fell to the ground with a crackling sound.

Inevitably, several ice cubes hit Chu Jinyao. The ice cubes were extremely cold, and Chu Jinyao's face became even paler. Linglong saw something was wrong, but she didn't care to blame her. She hurried over to support Chu Jinyao: "Crown Princess, what's wrong with you? Crown Princess!"

"Quickly call the imperial physician, the Crown Princess has fainted!"